AMES, Iowa—Daniel Van Sant of Mills County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 24-28. He is sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Life Charitable Trust and KMA Radio. Van Sant, 16, is the son of Fred and Susan Van Sant of Malvern.

Van Sant will join 22 other youth from Iowa at the leadership conference, entitled "Lead, Learn, Grow." Iowa's Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Van Sant, a senior at Malvern Junior and Senior High School, was chosen for his leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program. 

During his eight years in 4-H, Van Sant has completed major projects including citizenship, leadership, communication, photography and visual arts. He has received honors at the county level such as the Danforth “I Dare You” Award, an outstanding citizenship award, and project awards in citizenship and communication. He has been president, vice president and historian of his 4-H club. He served on his county, area and state 4-H councils and his county youth committee and participated in the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“Being in 4-H has provided me with many great experiences,” said Van Sant. “The thing I like best about 4-H is that there is literally something for everyone. For me 4-H has been a chance to develop communication, citizenship and leadership skills. It has helped give direction to my life.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the Mills County office of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. 4-H in Iowa is administered through the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development program and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames.

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